Implications of the Apoy Ritual on Rice Production in Guina-ang, Bontoc, Mountain Province

Abstract

Apoy ritual is very important among the people of Guina-ang in Bontoc, Mountain Province because it manifests their unity in preserving a century-old culture that has been passed through generations. This is among the results of the study conducted in Guina-ang, Mountain Province in March 2016. The study characterized the importance of the apoy ritual among Guina-ang farmers; identified the particular activities in the performance of the apoy ritual; identified their plans relative to the performance of the apoy ritual; and identified the problems encountered in the performance of the ritual. On the importance of the apoy ritual, community residents strongly believe that by performing such, their rice plants and so with the other crops will grow faster and won’t be attacked by pests and/or diseases; thus, leading to bountiful harvest. The ritual also serves as opportunity for the community to have a common and synchronized way of asking the powerful unseen to grant good health for their livestock. The apoy ritual is completely performed for ten days. The particular activities, in a chronological order, are as follows: te-er si loshlosh – one day, apoy proper – 2 days, panmanok – one night, ngilin – one day, pan-eney si chuor – one day, ofaya – three days, and akhom – two days. The residents plan to continue performing the ritual since it’s already a culture. It will depend on the upcoming generations should they decide to stop. On their level, however, the apoy ritual will be a lifetime practice. The problem encountered by the residents during the performance of the ritual is sourcing of chicken for the panmanok. On the recommendations, the Guina-ang people may continue performing such practice for as long as it will not bring detriment to the community. After all, it is an avenue for the residents to manifest unity, camaraderie and harmony. Besides, they have to enhance their livestock production capabilities to solve their problem relative to sourcing of chicken and/or other forms for the ritual.